San Salvador Liberada

Words & Music: Ricardo Andino, c. 1987

One of the choir’s earliest pieces, this was composed for us by one of our musical directors, Ricardo Andino. The song optimistically describes an anticipated rebel victory in Ricardo’s native El Salvador, and the liberation of its capital by the Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front. The war came to an exhausted end some years later, and San Salvador was won by the FMLN in mayoral elections. The struggle of the impoverished and desperate poor against a U.S. backed land-owning elite continues.

Translation

San Salvador, freed by the Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front! Now the masses are gathering in Freedom Square! The urban guerillas were opening the breach so that the militants could organise among the people. And the batallions enter, the revolution triumphs!